Abstract
NiTi alloy has been used for orthodontic wire due to good mechanical properties, such as elastic strength and frictional resistance, combined with a high resistance to corrosion. Recently, these wire were coated by polymer and ceramic materials for aesthetics. The purpose of this study was to investigate surface characteristics of polymer coated NiTi alloy wire for orthodontics using various instruments. Wires (round type and rectangular type) were used, respectively, for experiment. Polymer coating was carried out for wire. Specimen was investigated with field emission scanning electron microscopy(FE-SEM), energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy(EDS) and atomic force microscopy(AFM). The phase transformation of non-coated NiTi wire from martensite to austenite occurred at the range of $14{\sim}15^{\circ}C$, in the case of coated wire, it occurred at the range of $16{\sim}18^{\circ}C$. Polymer coating on NiTi wire surface decreased the surface defects such as scratch which was formed at severe machined surface. From the AFM results, the average surface roughness of non-coated and coated NiTi wire was 13.1 nm, and 224.5 nm, respectively. From convetional surface roughness test, the average surface roughness of non-coated and coated NiTi wire was $0.046{\mu}m$, and $0.718{\mu}m$, respectively.
